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What Union Plus Can Do for You

(The following is a reprint I sent as a recent all-faculty email. Since Union Plus offers multiple benefits, including legal assistance, to union faculty, I asked CCFT to let all faculty know of these benefits. The union chose to not inform the faculty.)

June 20, 2017

Dear Faculty,

When I was a member of the EB, I know that we truly did not pay close enough attention to Union Plus. What I remember most is that the folks there would give us some money if we put one of their ads in our newsletter, and so we obliged. But, maybe, some of you took advantage of their benefits. That’s a good thing. They provide a great service to union members.

I am happy to say that I am now a member of the Union Plus Legal Services (UPLS) panel of attorneys. CCFT is a participating union in Union Plus. Each union member is entitled to Union Plus benefits, of which there are many. And, Legal Services is one such benefit. Briefly, per its webpage, a member is entitled to

Free Initial Consultation
Up to 30 minutes with a lawyer (in person or over the phone).

Free Simple Document Review and Explanation

Members can avoid mistakes by understanding what they sign. Members are provided with an oral interpretation of personal documents like leases, insurance policies and free installment sales contracts.

Free follow-up Services
Including a simple letter or phone call, if likely to resolve a legal matter.

Most Additional Services are Discounted by 30%
Includes lawyer’s hourly rates and flat fees for most common legal cases.

Written fee agreement
Protecting members and preventing any surprises.

While I am by no means the only UPLS attorney, I am the only one in San Luis Obispo County. Within 100 miles, the closest is Santa Barbara to the south, Bakersfield to the east, and I’m not sure how far up to the north.

No matter which participating attorney you may contact for legal help, the availability of these resources can be immensely important to members who may not be able to afford other legal assistance. I hope you check out all that Union Plus has to offer, including scholarships, credit cards, and insurance. All of it can really help, especially in hard times.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions. They also sent me a bunch of brochures, which I would be happy to disperse.